Steam Powered Green Energy Electric Vehicle Charging System

Abstract

Systems and methods for utilizing steam powered “green energy” for an electric charging system for charging electric vehicles are disclosed. A control unit may manage the electricity generation and delivery to a high voltage charging station, e.g., 480+V. A steam source may provide pressurized steam to a turbine and generator to generate electricity, or store it for later in a storage unit, for delivery to the charging station. The control unit may assist in regulating the flow of the pressurized steam through one or more valves. The control unit may also be in communication with, at least, the generator and charging station to identify charging requirements, manage electricity distribution and consumption, deliver electricity to the charging station, and determine billing based on delivery. Generated electricity may be “stored” in the batteries of an electric vehicle when the batteries are charged, and then later, the vehicle's batteries may be utilized in a “vehicle-to-grid” system whereby the electrical power in the vehicle's batteries is supplied, e.g., through a home Level 2 charging station with vehicle-to-grid technology, to the electrical grid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Recent years have seen a marked increase in the use of electric vehicles as personal automobiles. The adoption of such environmentally conscious transport has been aided by advances in technology (e.g., batteries for energy storage) allowing for a longer range of travel before the vehicle's batteries must be recharged. The batteries of an electric vehicle typically operate on DC (direct current), and therefore, need a DC power source to recharge. Most electricity, e.g., in homes and commercial settings, is in the form of AC (alternating current). Thus, in order to charge the electric vehicle batteries, there is typically some form of conversion of AC power into DC power, by way of a rectifier, for example. In some vehicles, the circuitry needed to convert AC power into DC power is built into the vehicle itself. For these types of vehicles, charging simply requires connection to an AC power source. In other vehicles which do not have such conversion c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about systems and methods for using steam power to charge electric vehicles. The system includes a steam source, valve, steam turbine, generator, high voltage charging station, and control unit. The control unit manages electricity generation and delivery to the charging station. The generated electricity can be stored in storage units and later distributed and delivered to the electric vehicle. The system reduces reliance on fossil fuels by injecting steam-generated power into the electrical grid. The technical effects of the invention include efficient and reliable charging of electric vehicles using steam power and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Problems solved by technology

Level 3 Charging and Advanced Level 3 Charging are not as prevalent as Level 2 Charging, often due to unit price and the costs related to installation and power consumption.

For example, installation costs include, among other items, equipment such as transformers and switches, and installation of high voltage cable lines over substantial distances.

Regulatory hurdles can also lengthen the installation process of Level 3 Charging and Advanced Level 3 Charging, and in some cases, may take years to obtain.

The high rate of electrical power consumption for these types of chargers also results in higher maintenance costs, and in some areas, this level of electrical power consumption renders high voltage chargers unfeasible and / or unsustainable due to the strain placed on power grids that were neither engineered nor designed for an extremely high rate of consumption.

At the same time, the use of slower, Level 2 Charging disincentivizes and impedes the conversion of the automotive vehicle industry from fossil fuel-based vehicles to electric vehicles.

Thus, there is an inadequate amount of high power charging stations.

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